Wed-14-May-2008 - Things I Just Learned About Hair
I have always enjoyed my long hair and didn't think it could get any better.
Although, if I didn't think it could get any better, it's hard to explain all of the different products I've tried. Expensive ones, popular ones, and then au natural ones : anyone remember my very first post –
But even before that I’ve had a love/hate relationship with my hair; as a little girl I was always getting burnt with the curling iron and finally my mom said I could “grow it out”. Then I didn’t get a hair cut until I was 16yo, and 8 inches of scraggly dead ends needed loped off in one fell swoop and I about died right there in the salon.
The hair stylist said she would help me grow it back out by only trimming off the dead ends every 3 months. And then she died in a car accident so I’ve been on my own.
Enter Susanna.
Remember me posting a while back about this girl that visited us and how my boys fell head –over-heels with here? Well, she has really long hair and understands hair and while she stayed with us I asked a buncha questions.
#1 I learned how to measure hair – from the hairline, back to the ends. So it doesn’t get confusing. (FYI, my hair is 28”. How cool is that? A little bit of me is just happier being able to put a number on my hair.) That's long enough for my son to stand on . . . . just kidding!
#2 I’ve tried baking soda, and my homemade soap. Unfortunatly, my head turns into a greasy mess and with 2' of hair, that’s waaaaay not any fun. Here is me with greasy hair but only because I put gunk in my hair and then didn't wash it in like, forever. My boys didn't seem to mind, though.
What Sue explained is that if it’s harsh enough to clean your scalp, it’s too harsh on the ‘length’ part of your hair.
So I quit using my shampoo except on my head and now I use my castile soap on the long part. Good grief, my hair is happy!!!! I didn’t even realize it was greasy for the first week, until every bit of the sticky suddenly left my hair and it’s so soft and smooth and you can actually play with it now.
It’s like TV commercial hair. And my husband can’t keep his hands out of it, LOL. J But I’m not really minding because for the first time my hair isn’t snagging on his hands.
On the downside, my hair is a bit more difficult to put up in a bun. It’s so soft that it is easy to plait it into a braid, though. It’s a soft braid, unlike all of the stiff, unhappy braids I had in previous years. And I’ve noticed that my hair will hold the crimp from the braid longer, which has never, ever happened. Ever!!!!
#3 I also learned that it’s a good idea to put a tiny, wee dab of coconut oil on the ends of your hair just as you get out of the shower – when it’s soaking wet. My brush doesn’t catch on the ends now. I’m in a bit of shock. I keep thinking it’s going to go away.
#4 I fell deeply into “like” with Susanna’s horn hair comb. It’s made from cow horn, the same stuff your hair is made out of, so there is no static created. It feels so yummy on your scalp, too, and spreads your natural oils through your hair. So I had to order one, but I have yet to receive it.
Now I have hopes that I might be able to get my hair to 3' long - that's only 6 more inches but it's about 5" longer than I've ever had nice, pretty hair. I have always, always dreamed of having hair to my waist, but the ends get too frayed and scraggly.
And even if my hair is never any longer than it is, now I'm about 100% happier to have it on my head. And I was pretty happy with it before, so this is pretty happy! 
~Ashley~
Comments
Wed-14-May-2008 - Hello!
Posted by LittleHouse
Before I became a mom and homemaker I went to beauty school and I learned to cut hair and such. I worked for 7 years in a small salon. You can grow your hair out in no time just remember hair only grows a 1/2 an inch a month. It is good to have the ends trimmed about every other month. When I say trim I really mean a graze: (ends only less than a 1/2 inch)
~Ma
Wed-14-May-2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by GypsyFarmGirl
What awesome tips you got going here too!, I might have to take up that idea with the coconut oil and see how my hair does...
Wed-14-May-2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by PrairieSunrise
YAYAYAY, I'm delighted that your hair is so happy now! I was so excited... I measured my hair last week and it's at 50" now!!!! Only six more till knee length.
Thu-15-May-2008 - hair
Posted by Alycia
Isn't it wonderful when you find the perfect thing? My hair is still recovering from a butchering job I got two years ago when all I wanted was a trim, so it's shorter than yours - 23 inches. About a month ago, I switched to washing with a solution of 1 TBSP baking soda in 1 cup of water, rinsing that out, and then pouring a mixture of 2 TBSP apple cider vinegar in 1 cup water over my head and barely rinsing that out. I am in love with my hair too, and this is so much less expensive and less toxic than what I had been doing!
Thu-15-May-2008 - 'after' pic?
Posted by Illoura
How about a picture of the 'good' hair now? LOL
Fri-16-May-2008 - Soap
Posted by Anonymous
Do you make your own soap, or would any castile soap work? I've been doing the soda/vinegar thing, and I'm not entirely sold. Part could be that I don't have the time or inclination to do the whole recommended routine each day.
Thanks!
www.aspiringtosimplicity.blogspot.com
Mon-19-May-2008 - source for the horn comb?
Posted by Anonymous
I'd love to get my hands on one - i've got a little girl who is trying to grow her hair even longer - i'll measure it to inspire her, maybe :)
Entry
44 of 412
Last Page | Next Page